Gianni Sacchetti is full professor in Pharmaceutical biology
-Date and place of birth: Ferrara (Italy), May 2nd, 1967 Nationality: Italian
-Affiliation and official address: Dept. of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, P.le Chiappini 2, 44123 Ferrara, Italy - Via Luigi Borsari 46 (Block B; off. no. 37), 44121 Ferrara, Italy
-Telephone: +39-0532293774; +39-0532974636 (office); +39-0532293774 (lab)
-e-mail: scg@unife.it; gianni.sacchetti@unife.it
EDUCATION
-1992: Biological Sciences Degree summa cum laude (University of Ferrara)
-1996: PhD in Pharmacognosy (University of Milan)
CAREER/EMPLOYMENT
-1995-1998: PhD in Pharmacognosy (University of Milan)
-1999-2005: Reasearcher of Pharmaceutical Biology (University of Ferrara)
-2005-2014: Associate professor of Parmaceutical Biology (University of Ferrara)
-2014-Present: Full Professor of Pharmaceutical Biology (University of Ferrara)
-2016-2018: Member of ASN Commission (05/A1 - Botanica)
MAIN RESEARCH ACTIVITIES
Plant secondary metabolites analysis (Plant Metabolomic) through the following research strategies:
> extractions of plant species: different extractions strategies - with particular attention to those belonging to green chemistry - are studied and optimized in relation to the plant species, organs (seeds, roots, stems, bark, leaves, fruits) and whole plant and their conditions (fresh or dried);
> separation techniques of the crude extracts through preparative chromatographic strategies aimed to isolate specific chemical classes of metabolite compounds;
> phytochemical analysis: extracts, fractions and single compounds will be analyzed through preliminary semi-quantitative strategies (High performance Thin Layer Chromatography coupled to densitometry: HP-TLC-densitometry) and then specifically characterized for qualitative and quantitative parameters focusing in particular to secondary metabolites, i.e. mainly terpenes and terpenoids, iridoids, phenylpropanoids, phenols, polyphenols, flavonoids, coumarins, alkaloids and other nitrogen-containing compounds, sulphur-containing compounds, anthraquinones, sterols, and their glycosides. The qualitative and quantitative characterization of specific compounds is mainly performed by chromatographic and spectroscopic strategies, in particular: High Performance Liquid chromatography coupled to a diode array detector and a mass spectrometer (HPLC-DAD-MS); gas chromatography coupled to a FID detector and a mass spectrometer (GC-FID-MS); Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) and Near Infra-Red and Medium Infra-Red spectroscopy (NIR-MIR);
> bioactivity characterization: the biological activities tested are those antioxidants, cytotoxic, antimicrobials, anti-inflammatory, wound healing, genotoxic and geno-protective performed by different in vitro assays, bio-autographic included.
The main research targets are focused on:
> valorization of plant biodiversity through metabolomic analysis with particular attention to the secondary metabolites profile (chemical fingerprinting) of plant species belonging to different ecosystems and biodiversity hot-spots (for e.g. Amazonian forest);
> bioactivity characterization of plant extracts, fractions and pure isolated metabolites to test possible applications of plant derivatives in the fields of health (human and animal) and sustainable agriculture (natural compounds for plant defense).
-The same research profile above described in the section of “Main research activities” is also performed for plant material derived from agro-food value chain (plant by-products) to reach the same research targets.
RESEARCH EXPERIENCES
-1995-1998: pharmacognostic studies about plant medicinal crude drugs belonging the Italian ethnobotanical tradition (University of Milan);
-1998: genotoxic evaluations of extracts and pure natural secondary metabolites derived from plant species of Sardinian flora (University of Pisa);
-2000-2001: phytochemical characterization of plant extracts obtained from plants of the Mediterranean flora (Calabria region coasts) (University of Calabria);
-2005: phytochemical and biological investigations of plant extracts obtained from species of the north African Ethnobotanical tradition (University of Parma);
-2006: phytochemical investigations of the secondary metabolites profile of Amazonian plant species (Universidad Politecnica Salesiana, Quito - Ecuador);
-2006-present: Plant secondary metabolites analysis (Plant Metabolomic) of plant species, crude drugs and plant by-products from agro-food value chain (University of Ferrara).
SCIENTIFIC SOCIETIES
-1996-present: Società Botanica Italiana
-2005-present: Società Italiana di Fitochimica
-2012-present: Società Italiana per la Ricerca sugli Oli Essenziali
TEACHING EXPERIENCES
-1999-2000: Pharmaceutical Botany (degree course in Pharmacy; University of Bologna)
-1999-present: Plant Biology, Pharmacognosy and herbal products (degree course in Pharmacy; University of Ferrara)
-2000-2009: Plant Biology and Pharmacognosy (degree course in Chemical and Pharmaceutical Technologies; University of Ferrara)
-2006: Pharmacognostic assays for authentication of crude drugs (Universidad Politecnica Salesiana, Quito - Ecuador)
-2004-2010: Pharmacognosy and herbal products (degree course in Heatlh Products: herbals, nutraceuticals, cosmetics; University of Ferrara)
-2008-present: Biotechnology of medicinal plants (degree course in Biotechnology; University of Ferrara)
-2008-present: Phytocosmetic and Aromatherapy (Master course in Cosmetic Science and Technology; University of Ferrara)
GRANTS
> 2000-2003: Principal investigator - Sustainable production of biomolecules from agro-food wastes for industrial applications (CNR). Extraction and characterization of secondary metabolites from plants by-products from agro-food value chain
> 2002-2003: co-investigator – Mediterranean medicinal plants (POR-PON Calabria and Sardegna). Secondary metabolites profile and biological activities of plant species from Calabria and Sardinia regions
> 2009-2011: Principal Investigator (national coordinator) - Chemical characterization (fingerprinting) and bioactivity profile (quality, safety, efficacy) of Ayurvedic crude drugs of the herbal market. Definition of innovative formulations (artificial phytocomplexes) and bioactive compounds from chemical synthesis and/or biotransformations of phytocomplexes, fractions and isolated compounds from ayurvedic crude drugs (PRIN 2009-2009LR9YLF
) > 2010-2013: co-investigator - Management and crop innovations for high-quality pear production (www.ager.innovapero.it). Task Coordinator - Biomolecules and innovative strategies for Pyrus communis pests control (AGER consortium: http://www.progettoager.it). Secondary metabolites extractions and characterization from plants by-products and checking their bioactivity for possible uses as natural agro-pharmaceuticals
> 2013-2015: Co-investigator (Research Unit coordinator) - Chemical and bioactivity profile of agro-food wastes to achieve biomolecules for Citrus spp. pests control (PSR - Rural Development Projects funded by Calabria Region)
> 2013-2014: Principal investigator - Natural compounds for pests control and improving crop production of Ferrara territory (Chamber of Commerce of Ferrara, Italy)
> 2016-2018: Co-investigator - Sustainable valorization of by-products from Vitis vinifera value chain for chemical and healt industry [Valorizzazione sostenibile degli scarti della filiera vitivinicola per l'industria chimica e salutistica (VALSOVIT) (POR-FESR 2014-2020, Emilia Romagna Region)]
> 2017-2020: Biomolecules from by-products for agricultural (natural products for plant defense), food and energetic sustainable applications [Biomolecole dalla valorizzazione integrata di sottoprodotti agroalimentari per applicazioni sostenibili con finalità Fitosanitarie, Alimentari, ed Energetiche (BIOFACE) (Co-Investigator, Research Unit Coordinator - PSR 2014-2020 Focus Area 5C, Emilia Romagna Region)] AWARDS -CNR Best Researcher Award 2000 for activities in Sustainable production of biomolecules from agro-food wastes for industrial applications.
>2020: Agri-food by-products as substrate for fungicultural activities [Sottoprodotti della filiera agroalimentare come componenti del substrato per la fungicoltura per il miglioramento della coltivazione, della qualità alimentare e funzionale del frutto fungino] (POR FSE 2014/2020 - Regione Emilia Romagna)
>2021-2022: Innovative strategies to reduce micotoxins in crops and optimization of the diary supply chain [Sistemi innovativi di gestione delle produzioni maidicole da granella finalizzate alla riduzione delle micotossine nella filiera lattiero casearia legata alle produzioni DOP (Milk_COntrollo)] (Co-Investigator, Research Unit Coordinator - Fondo Europeo Agricolo per lo Sviluppo Rurale - Focus Area 5C, Regione Emilia Romagna)
PUBLICATIONS
-199 publications, 122 of them as papers in refereed journals, 2 book chapters, co-authorship in 2 academic books, more than 100 meeting abstracts
-Research unique identifier and citation metrix: OrciD: 0000-0002-6833-1477 - Scopus ID: 7005978235 - ISI ID: E-2854-2015; 3603 total citations – h-index: 36 (Scopus);
GOOGLE SCHOLAR PROFILE & CITATIONS -https://scholar.google.it/citations?user=nVJ8QD8AAAAJ&hl=it&oi=ao
-Date and place of birth: Ferrara (Italy), May 2nd, 1967 Nationality: Italian
-Affiliation and official address: Dept. of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, P.le Chiappini 2, 44123 Ferrara, Italy - Via Luigi Borsari 46 (Block B; off. no. 37), 44121 Ferrara, Italy
-Telephone: +39-0532293774; +39-0532974636 (office); +39-0532293774 (lab)
-e-mail: scg@unife.it; gianni.sacchetti@unife.it
EDUCATION
-1992: Biological Sciences Degree summa cum laude (University of Ferrara)
-1996: PhD in Pharmacognosy (University of Milan)
CAREER/EMPLOYMENT
-1995-1998: PhD in Pharmacognosy (University of Milan)
-1999-2005: Reasearcher of Pharmaceutical Biology (University of Ferrara)
-2005-2014: Associate professor of Parmaceutical Biology (University of Ferrara)
-2014-Present: Full Professor of Pharmaceutical Biology (University of Ferrara)
-2016-2018: Member of ASN Commission (05/A1 - Botanica)
MAIN RESEARCH ACTIVITIES
Plant secondary metabolites analysis (Plant Metabolomic) through the following research strategies:
> extractions of plant species: different extractions strategies - with particular attention to those belonging to green chemistry - are studied and optimized in relation to the plant species, organs (seeds, roots, stems, bark, leaves, fruits) and whole plant and their conditions (fresh or dried);
> separation techniques of the crude extracts through preparative chromatographic strategies aimed to isolate specific chemical classes of metabolite compounds;
> phytochemical analysis: extracts, fractions and single compounds will be analyzed through preliminary semi-quantitative strategies (High performance Thin Layer Chromatography coupled to densitometry: HP-TLC-densitometry) and then specifically characterized for qualitative and quantitative parameters focusing in particular to secondary metabolites, i.e. mainly terpenes and terpenoids, iridoids, phenylpropanoids, phenols, polyphenols, flavonoids, coumarins, alkaloids and other nitrogen-containing compounds, sulphur-containing compounds, anthraquinones, sterols, and their glycosides. The qualitative and quantitative characterization of specific compounds is mainly performed by chromatographic and spectroscopic strategies, in particular: High Performance Liquid chromatography coupled to a diode array detector and a mass spectrometer (HPLC-DAD-MS); gas chromatography coupled to a FID detector and a mass spectrometer (GC-FID-MS); Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) and Near Infra-Red and Medium Infra-Red spectroscopy (NIR-MIR);
> bioactivity characterization: the biological activities tested are those antioxidants, cytotoxic, antimicrobials, anti-inflammatory, wound healing, genotoxic and geno-protective performed by different in vitro assays, bio-autographic included.
The main research targets are focused on:
> valorization of plant biodiversity through metabolomic analysis with particular attention to the secondary metabolites profile (chemical fingerprinting) of plant species belonging to different ecosystems and biodiversity hot-spots (for e.g. Amazonian forest);
> bioactivity characterization of plant extracts, fractions and pure isolated metabolites to test possible applications of plant derivatives in the fields of health (human and animal) and sustainable agriculture (natural compounds for plant defense).
-The same research profile above described in the section of “Main research activities” is also performed for plant material derived from agro-food value chain (plant by-products) to reach the same research targets.
RESEARCH EXPERIENCES
-1995-1998: pharmacognostic studies about plant medicinal crude drugs belonging the Italian ethnobotanical tradition (University of Milan);
-1998: genotoxic evaluations of extracts and pure natural secondary metabolites derived from plant species of Sardinian flora (University of Pisa);
-2000-2001: phytochemical characterization of plant extracts obtained from plants of the Mediterranean flora (Calabria region coasts) (University of Calabria);
-2005: phytochemical and biological investigations of plant extracts obtained from species of the north African Ethnobotanical tradition (University of Parma);
-2006: phytochemical investigations of the secondary metabolites profile of Amazonian plant species (Universidad Politecnica Salesiana, Quito - Ecuador);
-2006-present: Plant secondary metabolites analysis (Plant Metabolomic) of plant species, crude drugs and plant by-products from agro-food value chain (University of Ferrara).
SCIENTIFIC SOCIETIES
-1996-present: Società Botanica Italiana
-2005-present: Società Italiana di Fitochimica
-2012-present: Società Italiana per la Ricerca sugli Oli Essenziali
TEACHING EXPERIENCES
-1999-2000: Pharmaceutical Botany (degree course in Pharmacy; University of Bologna)
-1999-present: Plant Biology, Pharmacognosy and herbal products (degree course in Pharmacy; University of Ferrara)
-2000-2009: Plant Biology and Pharmacognosy (degree course in Chemical and Pharmaceutical Technologies; University of Ferrara)
-2006: Pharmacognostic assays for authentication of crude drugs (Universidad Politecnica Salesiana, Quito - Ecuador)
-2004-2010: Pharmacognosy and herbal products (degree course in Heatlh Products: herbals, nutraceuticals, cosmetics; University of Ferrara)
-2008-present: Biotechnology of medicinal plants (degree course in Biotechnology; University of Ferrara)
-2008-present: Phytocosmetic and Aromatherapy (Master course in Cosmetic Science and Technology; University of Ferrara)
GRANTS
> 2000-2003: Principal investigator - Sustainable production of biomolecules from agro-food wastes for industrial applications (CNR). Extraction and characterization of secondary metabolites from plants by-products from agro-food value chain
> 2002-2003: co-investigator – Mediterranean medicinal plants (POR-PON Calabria and Sardegna). Secondary metabolites profile and biological activities of plant species from Calabria and Sardinia regions
> 2009-2011: Principal Investigator (national coordinator) - Chemical characterization (fingerprinting) and bioactivity profile (quality, safety, efficacy) of Ayurvedic crude drugs of the herbal market. Definition of innovative formulations (artificial phytocomplexes) and bioactive compounds from chemical synthesis and/or biotransformations of phytocomplexes, fractions and isolated compounds from ayurvedic crude drugs (PRIN 2009-2009LR9YLF
) > 2010-2013: co-investigator - Management and crop innovations for high-quality pear production (www.ager.innovapero.it). Task Coordinator - Biomolecules and innovative strategies for Pyrus communis pests control (AGER consortium: http://www.progettoager.it). Secondary metabolites extractions and characterization from plants by-products and checking their bioactivity for possible uses as natural agro-pharmaceuticals
> 2013-2015: Co-investigator (Research Unit coordinator) - Chemical and bioactivity profile of agro-food wastes to achieve biomolecules for Citrus spp. pests control (PSR - Rural Development Projects funded by Calabria Region)
> 2013-2014: Principal investigator - Natural compounds for pests control and improving crop production of Ferrara territory (Chamber of Commerce of Ferrara, Italy)
> 2016-2018: Co-investigator - Sustainable valorization of by-products from Vitis vinifera value chain for chemical and healt industry [Valorizzazione sostenibile degli scarti della filiera vitivinicola per l'industria chimica e salutistica (VALSOVIT) (POR-FESR 2014-2020, Emilia Romagna Region)]
> 2017-2020: Biomolecules from by-products for agricultural (natural products for plant defense), food and energetic sustainable applications [Biomolecole dalla valorizzazione integrata di sottoprodotti agroalimentari per applicazioni sostenibili con finalità Fitosanitarie, Alimentari, ed Energetiche (BIOFACE) (Co-Investigator, Research Unit Coordinator - PSR 2014-2020 Focus Area 5C, Emilia Romagna Region)] AWARDS -CNR Best Researcher Award 2000 for activities in Sustainable production of biomolecules from agro-food wastes for industrial applications.
>2020: Agri-food by-products as substrate for fungicultural activities [Sottoprodotti della filiera agroalimentare come componenti del substrato per la fungicoltura per il miglioramento della coltivazione, della qualità alimentare e funzionale del frutto fungino] (POR FSE 2014/2020 - Regione Emilia Romagna)
>2021-2022: Innovative strategies to reduce micotoxins in crops and optimization of the diary supply chain [Sistemi innovativi di gestione delle produzioni maidicole da granella finalizzate alla riduzione delle micotossine nella filiera lattiero casearia legata alle produzioni DOP (Milk_COntrollo)] (Co-Investigator, Research Unit Coordinator - Fondo Europeo Agricolo per lo Sviluppo Rurale - Focus Area 5C, Regione Emilia Romagna)
PUBLICATIONS
-199 publications, 122 of them as papers in refereed journals, 2 book chapters, co-authorship in 2 academic books, more than 100 meeting abstracts
-Research unique identifier and citation metrix: OrciD: 0000-0002-6833-1477 - Scopus ID: 7005978235 - ISI ID: E-2854-2015; 3603 total citations – h-index: 36 (Scopus);
GOOGLE SCHOLAR PROFILE & CITATIONS -https://scholar.google.it/citations?user=nVJ8QD8AAAAJ&hl=it&oi=ao
